Heathrow has painted a 540 square metre Union Jack image on the runway today to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

Created by CURB, this is the first time an image has ever been painted on the airfield, with the flag with a picture of the Queen in the middle 10 metres taller than Buckingham Palace.

More than 400 litres of red, white and blue paint was used to create the image, which was designed to welcome the 780,000 passengers expected to arrive for the celebrations.

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow commercial director, said: "The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations mark the start of an important and historic summer for Heathrow. As the UK's hub Airport, we are delighted to welcome thousands of visitors to Heathrow to celebrate this momentous national occasion."

Passengers will be welcomed with red carpets laid in Arrivals halls in all terminals. Official Diamond Jubilee and Union Jack flags will be handed out and visitors will be invited to write messages of congratulations to the Queen in official books that will be sent to Buckingham Palace.